hemingway

You make a good point and also ask a good question in your 3rd para Binman.

Understand your feelings, but I am underwhelmed by the majority of players too numerous to mention, and completely underwhelmed by our coach and coaching staff.

Yes, a good book but as you point out, historical fiction. Ernest loved all his wife's for a period of time. However, as a romantic with a fraught and split personality he was never fully satisfied, a feature of his being that permeated all things, not the least his own writings. There will never be a one true account of his life. Perhaps a truth that applies to all.

Let's not single out Lever. His current form is on a par with most of his team mates. Unlike a new recruit or a cast-off, we know Lever can play at the highest level. He was sensational in 2017. Give him time.

Last sentence is our problem. Was last season, no different this season.

Not on Hoges. Agree with you

its a danger sign Team.

Given the conditions, we will need to watch our energy levels. We will be unable to play manic footy for 4Q, so our guys will need to conserve our energy for the second half in particularly the last Q. No point being a front runner for 3 laps and then be run over the top in the last.

Dont you mean the wireless old dee ?

Very good observations here. It helps to balance the immediate negativity. Yes, we should have more perspective at round one, but remember for many of us, our contribution to this site is a form of therapy and helps with our current mood state. It is an emotional game and we follow it more often with emotion rather than reason and detached thinking. Most often, reflection and time, alter our perspective, but by then, we have sent the post. Sorry darling, I did not mean it.

agreed Dr

As I do every season, take a good hard look at my faith, lower my expectations, be surprised but happy if we win, look to the next game then lower my expectations, expect the media stories about what has gone wrong at Melbourne, wait to read stories by Caro and others about the behind scenes problems, the media stories about Goodwin, and then fall in to my normal chronic melancholic state for the long winter ahead.

We have a brains trust?

Agree, too soon to call. One game in does not define a season. We nearly won despite having many players down on the day. However, the Cats had players out and injured, and overall were far from impressive. Both sides have lots of room for improvement. At the same time, it was disappointing to see many of the features of last year's MFC playing style still present. Skills, in particular, marking and disposal skills and execution are not up to scratch. Almost as if there had been no summer break. And the game plan still has me scratching my head. A last gasp Demon win would not have corrected that impression. On the up-side we saw players such as Petracca, Gawn and Oliver continue their upward progression. They are genuine stars. And Hogan could still be one. On the downside, we still have players that go missing in action and players who are handy but will never be elite.

The question is what to do with Frost. I suppose more to the point is he ever going to eliminate his clangers? He has been in the system for a few years. How much time do you give him? I suspect that he is what he is and you can't coach the mistakes out of him. Do you play him in the ones because he brings height and run despite the turnovers, or continue to play him at Casey and use him as injury back-up. Normally, you would play him at Casey until he is knocking the door down, however, we were noticeably short and slow down back on Sunday.

Agree without Gawny we would have been more than a goal behind. Others could also have missed. However, Gawny is an awkward kick at the best of times and seems to have a poor ball drop. Sure he is a tall and awkward guy but not sure you can use this as an excuse. Even in general field play his kicking is up and under. Would be good to see improvement in this part of his game.

spot on

agree, it happened time and again we had players flying for the ball and no-one crumbing.

Not hate, just concern.

In: Tyson, Bugg, Brayshaw, Frost OUT: Melksham, Maynard, Harmes, Wagner

Gawn Petracca Jones Oliver Hogan OMac

1. Intensity/will to win in last Q. 2. Centre clearances without Viney 3. Opportunity for improvement across the board.

That's nice of you ProDee.

Whatever your views, we are all devoted Demon fans who are passionate about the club. We all have personality differences and differences in how we communicate. We can observe and come to our own conclusions but does it make any difference to ventilate our views about others? None whatsoever. Are opinions or comments about footy all that important? I noticed one particular bearded gentleman on Sunday who gave up his time voluntarily to assist staff outside the ground to hand out members scarves etc. Pretty good effort and reflective of the passion of the accused. I don't know how long he was there for but I would not mind guessing that he would have missed some of the game. This suggests a person of very good intentions, irrespective of his views or comments on this site.

No, we would have snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.